Abstract

RUEDA-PUENTE, Edgar O. et al. Effect of Inoculation of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria on Germination of Salicornia bigelovii. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.4, pp.345-354. ISSN 2395-8030.

Salicornia bigelovii is a halophyte that can produce oil, food and feed. However, its productivity depends on supplemental nitrogen fertilization. Although nitrogen fertilizer will increase yield in saline soils, it also has the potential to increase soil salinity. There is potential to use beneficial microorganisms as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to mitigate salinization and improve the growth of Salicornia bigelovii. This study monitored the effects of inoculation of two halobacteria PGPB: Azospirillum halopraeferens (Ah) and Klebsiella pneuomoniae (Kp) in seeds of four ecotypes of S. bigelovii: Santa Rosa Grande (SRG), Santa Rosa Girl (SRCH), Santa Cruz (SC) and Cerro Prieto (CP), subjected to three concentrations of salinity (0.0, 0.25 and 0.5M NaCl). The results indicated a higher percentage of germination in the absence of NaCl, especially in the inoculated seeds. It was found that, as salinity level increased, Kp was particularly effective in increasing the fresh weight and dry weight of SRCH and CP seedlings. This study shows that inoculation with Klebsiella pneuomoniae can enhance the germination of some ecotypes of S. bigelovii. We recommend follow-up studies to determine whether the observed effects of PGPB on germination, can render increased crop production.

Keywords : halophyte; halobacterium; beneficial microorganism.

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